Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Once in her vehicle and on the way to the school campus, Jesslyn called Chief Laramie, who was still in charge of the scene. He assured her that as soon as she could access the site, he’d let her know, but she had a few hours. Which she knew, she was just ... impatient. Anxious to compare the two scenes. She hung up and glanced at the mirrors.
A phone call had arranged the delivery of Nathan’s vehicle to the station, so he was ahead of her and Andrew behind her. Grateful for the distraction and the uneventful drive to the university, she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed out of the car.
Andrew and Nathan did the same and joined her. The imposing math and science building stood before them. If she’d gone to school here, as a chemistry major she would have spent a lot of time in those classrooms.
Andrew stepped to the side to take a call, and Nathan looked at her, forehead wrinkled in concern. “You okay?”
Were her feelings that obvious? Apparently. She forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Just thinking about what might have been had my family lived. Would I have gone to school here?” What she didn’t say was her fear all those years ago that the person who killed her family was still in town. Yeah, there was that too.
He patted her shoulder, then narrowed his eyes. “You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. God knew what was going to happen. It didn’t take him by surprise.”
“I know. What I don’t know is why he didn’t stop it.”
“I can certainly understand that.”
The quick flash of pain on his features said he understood more than most people. There was more to his story than he’d told her. Maybe one day he’d trust her enough to give her the extended version.
Andrew returned just as her phone buzzed. “Hold on a sec. It’s a text from Pastor Chuck.” They waited while she tapped the screen and read. “He said he’s asked every single member of the church, excluding us, if they knew where the piece of jewelry from the fire came from and no one recognized it.” She blew out a low breath. “Well, it doesn’t surprise me, but I was rather hoping.”
Andrew nodded. “Guess that’s that then. Ready?”
“Wait,” Nathan said. “Anyone mention recognizing the logo on the back?”
Jesslyn stilled, then texted Chuck.
Did anyone say anything about the logo on the back of the piece?
They didn’t. Should I ask specifically about that and see if anyone can tell what it is or where it came from?
If you don’t mind. I know it’s a lot of work, but it would be helpful.
I’ll see what I can do.
Thank you.
“Now I’m ready,” she said.
They walked up the steps and through the double glass doors into the building. “Dr. Byron Claymore should be waiting to talk to us in his office. He’s the head of the math department and is one of the sponsors of the math club and goes to all of the competitions.”
“Like a coach?” Jesslyn asked.
“Yeah, exactly.”
“I did science competitions in high school,” she said. “They were a lot of fun.”
“Science competitions were fun?” Nathan asked with a raised brow. “Were you a nerd?”
She kept a straight face at his teasing. “No, just smart.”
Nathan laughed.
Andrew cleared his throat and pushed the elevator button. “He’s on the third floor.”
They rode up in silence and found the man in his office as promised. Jesslyn studied him. He was in his early fifties, with salt-and-pepper hair cut short but in need of a trim. His dark brown eyes were friendly enough, and he waved them into the very neat office. No absent-minded professor here.
“Have a seat,” he said. “My secretary said you were coming. That you had some questions about Kenny Davies.”
“Yes, sir,” Nathan said and then introduced everyone.
“I’m sorry I don’t have enough seats. We can walk down to the conference room if you prefer.”
Andrew leaned against the doorjamb. “This is fine. Hopefully we won’t take up too much of your time.”
Jesslyn motioned for Nathan to take the chair. She could tell his hip was bothering him. The fact that he sat without comment spoke volumes.
“What can I help you with?” Dr. Claymore asked.
“Right now, Kenny is sitting in an interrogation room at the local police station,” Nathan said. “He was at the scene of a fire at the Endurance Empire Gym. When we tried to approach him, he ran. The fire is most likely arson. The fact that he ran raises red flags for us.”
“Kenny?” The professor blinked away his shock and rubbed his chin while letting his gaze bounce between them. “Wow. I can’t imagine it. Is he okay?”
“He’s fine right now.”
“Okay, well, what does it have to do with me?”
“Not much that we can tell,” Nathan said. “We were hoping you could help us identify the friends that he hangs out with.”
Jesslyn opened her notes with the names Andrew had already acquired, ready to add more if the professor came up with new ones.
Dr. Claymore scratched his nose. “Yeah, I can give you a few names.” He grabbed a pen from his drawer and a Post-it from the stack next to his laptop. “Brad Granger, Toby Child, and Heath Peterson should be able to answer any questions you have. They’re big buddies, hang out all the time, and are all on the math competition team.” He frowned. “Speaking of competitions, we have one coming up next Friday in South Carolina. Will Kenny be able to go?”
“That depends on Kenny,” Andrew said. “Thanks for the information. By the way, do Kenny and the other three live in the same dorm?”
“I believe they do. Chapman Hall, if I remember correctly.”
“Perfect.” He took the note from the professor.
“What’s going on?” A voice from outside of the open door turned them all as one. A man in his late thirties with blue eyes and a salt-and-pepper military buzz cut stood with his hands in the front pockets of his green slacks.
“Ah,” Dr. Claymore said, “this is Professor Derek Morgan. Derek, Kenny’s gotten himself into some trouble and these three officers are here to talk to a few of his friends and professors.”
Professor Morgan nodded. “Good to meet you. What’s Kenny done to generate this kind of interest?”
“We believe he might be involved in two fires.”
“Fires? What kind of fires?”
“Arson,” Jesslyn said.
Morgan laughed, then frowned when no one joined him. “Oh, you’re serious.”
Jesslyn raised a brow. “Very.”
“Well, I can assure you, Kenny is not an arsonist.”
“I’m afraid we can’t take your word for it,” Andrew said. “Anything you can tell us about him?”
The man blew out a slow breath. “Well, he’s smart, driven, keeps his grades up, is definitely extroverted, and has a wide community of friends.”
“You sound like you know him well.”
“I grew up here in Lake City. I know a lot of people well. Kenny’s parents are friends of mine and my wife’s.”
“I see. How often do you see Kenny?”
“He used to be a student of mine, but I don’t teach him this semester. My wife and I get together with Nancy and Gary, his parents, once a month or so to double-date, but other than passing Kenny on campus occasionally, I don’t really see him that much except for math competitions.”
“What about the friends that he hangs out with?” Jesslyn asked. “Brad, Toby, and Heath?”
“Yeah, they’re all good guys. Good students, participate in a lot of school activities.” He shrugged. “That’s about it.”
Nathan nodded, then he stood. Carefully. “Thank you for your time. We’ll be in touch if we have any more questions.”
Professor Morgan’s phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket with a roll of his eyes to the others. “Hi, Sam. Yeah.” He stepped out of the room. “Yes, I can do that.” A pause. “I said fine. Chill, will you?”
Dr. Claymore shot them a small smile. “Sam is his sister. She’s trying to get hired here. I guess she thinks volunteering with the math team will score her some brownie points. From what I gather, she’s a piece of work.” He shook his head. “Makes me glad to be an only child most days.”
“Being an only child definitely has its benefits, I’m sure,” Nathan said with a grunt. “Wouldn’t mind experiencing that myself at the moment.”
Jesslyn bit her lip on a smile, and the three of them said their goodbyes, then left the office.
In the hallway, Jesslyn said, “They both seemed genuinely shocked that Kenny would be involved in something like that.”
“I noticed that too,” Nathan said.
“Maybe Kenny really didn’t set the fires,” she said. “Could be innocent and ran just ... because.”
“Maybe,” Andrew said, “but I’ll feel better once we have a clear picture of who this guy is. Ready for a trip to the dorm?”
Jesslyn nodded. “Let’s go.”
Together, they walked back to their cars. “I can drive,” he said to Nathan, then turned to Jesslyn. “You want to leave your car here?”
“Sure.” She climbed in with the guys, and they drove to the designated dorm. Classes had been back in session for only a week since breaking for Christmas, but the place was a beehive of activity with students bundled in heavy coats, hats, gloves, and boots, rushing from one place to the next, backpacks slapping against their backs. “I remember these days,” Jesslyn murmured. “Different campus, but same energy and vibe.”
Nathan nodded. “I graduated from here, then explored the world a bit before coming back.”
It didn’t take long to find Kenny’s room and knock on the door. “Roommate is Jeff Mitchell,” Andrew said. They waited and Andrew rocked back on his heels, then knocked again. “Security said he got out of class an hour ago, but he could be anywhere on campus—or off. He’s got a car.”
A young man next door slipped out of his room and turned to lock the door.
“Excuse me,” Jesslyn said, “you don’t happen to know where Jeff Mitchell is, do you?”
“No. Did you try calling him?”
And giving him a chance to run? Not likely. “No.”
“Then I can’t help you. Sorry.”
“Thanks anyway.”
The kid headed down the hall and stopped next to a guy who’d just walked in the door. He pointed to Jesslyn and the others, and she waited for him to run. They always ran.
He nodded and walked their way.
Well, miracles still happened apparently.
“Hi,” the young man said. He was nineteen or twenty with a five-o’clock shadow, green eyes, and dimples. “Guy said you’re looking for me?”
“Yeah,” Andrew said. “For you, Brad, Toby, and Heath.”
“Brad and Heath live on the other side of Kenny and me. Toby’s up one floor. You want to come into the lobby so we can talk? I’d invite you in the room, but it’s a mess and no place for everyone to sit.”
Truly? Or did he just not want them to see inside his room?
He turned and headed toward the lobby. Jesslyn raised a brow at Nathan and Andrew, and they wordlessly followed.
They found seats on the couches in the room that was set up for socializing. Jesslyn leaned forward. “What can you tell us about Kenny?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.”
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, Nathan stood and did his best not to wince at the pull on his hip. Jeff had been open and willing to answer questions. He and Kenny weren’t close friends, they just shared a room. “We’re on different academic tracks and rarely see each other, but he’s a good friend to those he hangs out with.” He eyed Nathan and Andrew. “You said you’re partners. You’d take a bullet for each other, right?”
They both nodded.
“That’s how Kenny is. Once you have his love and loyalty, he’s got your back no matter what. He’s a good guy. Not one to go around burning buildings. You’re looking in the wrong place for your an swers.” He looked at Andrew, then Nathan and Jesslyn. “That’s pretty much all I’ve got.”
Nathan shook his hand. “Thank you for talking to us. If we need anything, we’ll call you, and if you see or hear anything that’s out of the ordinary or makes you wonder if something’s going on, will you give us a call?”
“Sure.”
“Assuming they don’t answer the knocks on their doors, any idea where to find the other three guys?”
“No. Sorry. If they’re not in their rooms, they could be anywhere. Although, sometimes—a lot of the time, actually—Brad likes to play pool in the student center. He’s probably there.”
“We’ll check it out. Thanks.”
Nathan handed him a card and they knocked on the other students’ doors. And got no response. They exited the building and walked back to the car. “Guess it’s the student center.”
Jesslyn’s phone rang and she snatched it to her ear. “Hey, Marissa, please tell me you have something.”
She listened and Nathan wished he could hear the other end of the conversation. He turned to look at her while Andrew drove. She raised a brow at him and nodded. “Okay, thanks so much. I’ll think about it, and we’ll try to get to the jeweler before they close.”
She hung up and Nathan found he was almost holding his breath to hear what Marissa had found. “Well? Don’t keep us in suspense, pretty please?”
“Since you asked so nice, she discovered the jeweler that made the piece we found at the scene.”
“Excellent. Who?”
“Tradition’s Custom Touch on West Beach Street.”
“That’s some very high-end jewelry,” Andrew said. “Like really nice custom pieces. I think my grandfather gave my grandmother one for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary—that kind of thing. All that to say, they’ve been there for a long time. As long as I can remember anyway.”
Jesslyn was on her phone. She tapped the screen. “Yep. Founded in 1955.”
“All right, we’ll put that on our list of places to visit.”
“Student center?” Jess asked.
They agreed and soon found Brad at the pool table. Andrew approached while Nathan and Jesslyn hung back. Nathan was slightly jealous of how nice the place was. It had been expanded and was a huge improvement over the board games and vending machines when he’d been a student. Now they had a full-service café on one end, a large seating area in the middle, and pool tables, Foosball, and air hockey games on the other end.
Andrew stepped forward, showing his badge to Brad. “Hi, Brad, you got a minute?”
The young man froze for a split second before he forced a smile and set aside his pool stick. “Sure. Can I help you?”
Jesslyn nudged Nathan. “You catch the body language?”
“He’s going to run, isn’t he?”
“Just a feeling he might be considering it.”
“I’ll cover the side door.”
“I’ve got this one.”
Nathan made his way to the other exit, a wall of three sets of double glass doors, while Jesslyn stayed close to the one they’d entered. His phone rang and he glanced at the screen. Eli. He sent the call to voicemail.
Andrew motioned to an empty couch and Brad walked over to drop down on the edge of it. Nathan glanced at Jesslyn and she shrugged as if to say, What do ya know? He didn’t bolt.
Twice in one day. Nathan was glad, because there was no way he could give chase. He moved closer to hear the conversation. Jesslyn did the same.
Brad’s eyes bounced on each of them before settling back on Andrew. “What’s going on?”
“We’re talking to friends of Kenny’s.”
The kid schooled his expression into a questioning look. “Okay. What about him?”
Andrew explained the situation, and with each sentence, Brad’s face turned a shade whiter, and his eyes widened, nostrils flaring. “You really think he set the fires? No way. He wouldn’t.”
Well, those who believed in Kenny’s innocence were unanimous. He was even starting to think they were chasing a dead end.
He saw Jesslyn glance at her phone and frown, then tuck it away. Andrew continued questioning Brad, who was about as much help as a case of the flu. On purpose or was he hiding something? Then again, who liked a visit from the FBI, so could he really read anything into it?
Andrew finally stood and handed Brad his card. “Can you call me if you think of anything that might be related to the fires and Kenny?”
“Sure.”
Which sounded more like, “Don’t hold your breath.”
Nathan’s phone rang and he held up a finger for Jesslyn and Andrew to wait. “Hi, Lindsay.”
“You have a minute?”
“For you? Always.”
“I’ll make this brief, I have a meeting I have to run off to. I checked the database of crimes matching the one perpetrated on Jesslyn at the restaurant. There’s nothing that matches up perfectly in this area or a two-hundred-mile radius. The ones that kind of came close are six women attacked in the parking lot of various restaurants, two had someone waiting in their cars and were snatched, but they caught the guy when he tried to kidnap an off-duty female police officer. She put him in the hospital for a month.”
Good for her. “Anything else?”
“A few more random attacks, but nothing about any women being taken from the bathroom of a restaurant.”
“Okay, thanks for letting me know.”
“Talk to you later.”
Nathan hung up and they tracked down Heath. He had the same reaction as his buddy. Complete surprise that Kenny was a potential suspect in the fires. Also about as helpful. Toby, it turned out, was in the hospital recovering from a ruptured appendix. It didn’t mean he didn’t know anything, but he wasn’t the one setting fires. He’d ask one of the detectives to go by the hospital and talk to the guy.
“I don’t know,” Jesslyn said after they were out of earshot. “I’m not getting the vibe that they were involved, and I’m not getting one that they weren’t. The only vibe I’m getting is that they’re nervous about cops snooping around, and that could be because of any number of reasons.”
“I’m with you,” Andrew said.
Nathan nodded. “Agreed. We’ll just keep an eye on them and see what shakes loose. If anything. Let’s go.”
They returned to Andrew’s vehicle and Andrew drove them back to their cars.
“It’s late,” Jesslyn said. “I’m starving and exhausted, but first thing in the morning, I’m going to the jewelry store.” She dug her keys from her pocket. “I’ll call you if I find out anything.”
“Do you need to head back to the fire scene?”
She checked her phone. “Not until the chief texts me.”
“Okay, then why don’t I follow you home, hang out, and then go with you when you get word?” Nathan said. He really didn’t think she needed to go anywhere alone, considering they didn’t know who’d attacked her yet. In fact, he was tempted to camp out on her curb to make sure nothing happened during the night.
“I mean, you can. It might not be until morning.”
“I’m okay with that.”
“Seriously, you don’t have to do that. I’m just going to grab something to eat and then crash for the night.” She swung the car door open. “I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “Stubborn. But I’m still going to follow you home.” He glanced at Andrew as he opened his door. “What’s your plan?”
“I can meet you in the morning,” Andrew said. “Then we can check in at the hospital on Mr. Christie and this kid Toby. See if either of them has anything they want to contribute.”
“Fabulous,” Jesslyn said as she got out, “we’ll make it a full-on party.”
Nathan glanced at his phone as he turned toward his car. And now he had to call his mom and let her know he wouldn’t be there tomorrow. He didn’t have time for a family brunch. He had a possible arsonist to catch.